Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-03


DAVID A. Body spoke to The Day We Cele-
hrate." Up rose then Governor Hill TO an
swer to the toast, The National Democ-
raCv." His welcome was tumultuous, vocif-
erous. wild The well bred men before him
seemed suddenly to have gone mad They
waved their napkins, yelled and cheered
while the governor stood there-a rock
against which the waves broke. At last he
Legan to speak, but as one or other of his
'hiusts hckIed his hearers their cheers broke
ouJ again. The speech in full was as follows:
Nh PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: Upon
tire topmost height of one of the beautiful
mountains of Virginia there is pointed out TO
the Traveller a rude structure, famous as the
home of Thomas Jefferson-the friend of
Washington-the author of the Declaration
- independence and the founder of the Dem
cratic party. Cheers
1t was here upon the sacred soil of this ma
icstic state, known as the Mother of Presi.
dents" amid the free winds, the bright sun
and the pure air of heaven, that the Sage of
AonticeIo-ripe in wisdom and unselfish in
pstriotlsm-matured the principles which
have ever since been the foundation OF our
POLITICAL faith. lApplause.l As broad as the
magnificent expanse which he surveyed from
his lovely rural retreat, as exalted as the inn
posing pinnacle from which his vision extend
ed. and as enduring as the towering mountain
range itself were the sentiments which he so
grandlY enunciated Fitting, indeed. were
such surroundings for the conception of Dem
ocratic sentiments. Imbued with the true
spirit Of Independence and impressed with cor
rect notions of government, he favored the
largest liberty for the citizen-Eberty regu-
lated BY law. He inculcated strict con-
struction of the constitution: he advocated
taxation for the benefit Of all and not for a
favored ew-tapplausel-he urged universal
education: he asserted the dignity of labor.
the rights of the common people and the SOW
ereignty of the states. (Appause) He
placed the new born party upon no narrow
or intolerant ground, hut upon that com
prehensi7e platform of equal rights-free-
iom of opinion and hberality in all things
which has ever since characterized the atti-
tude and actions of the party upon all the
public questions of the day (Applause)
There could be no prouder testimonial or
tribute to any man or TO the founder of any
party than the simple inscription which 10
this day adorns the slab over his grave in an
obscure rural cemetery in the Old Dominion.
and which declares:
Here lies buried Thomas Jefferson. author
OF the Declaration of American Indepen-
fieuce, of the statute of Virginia for religious
freedom. and father of the University Of
Virginia. long continued appIauseJ
ORIGIN OF The DEMOCRATIC PARTY
To such illustrIous leadership do we trace
the honorable origin and organization OF the
Democratic party, and the principles thus
formulated were the first that greeted Its
infant ears and have ever since directed its
footsteps and shaped its destiny Those prin-
cIples safely guided the nation during Its
earlier days. and later on there was added to
them the famous Monroe DoctrineT-ap-
piause)-now the accepted policy of the coun-
try, and, later still. during the unadulterated
Democratic administration of Andrew Jack
son-cheers and applause,-the admirable
system of an independent treasury was
adopted and ever since maintained and sub
7equently the party's demands have Included
the support of an honest currency, opposi-
ton to all sumptuary laws, reduction of war
taxes in times Of peace, economy in public
expenditures, liberal pensions Tor deserving
soldiers and no other-tapplausel- admins
for cities. tApplause)
Through evil report and good report. in
contest after contest, we have contendeI IN
der the banner bea. Ing these principles as its
inscription. Since 1869, time after time
under the avalanche of false doctrine in op-
posing foes, our forces have been swept from
their feet and all seemed lost save honor
Though vanquished, we were not disnayed,
and were always the same 'unterrified"
Democracy. daughter, cheers and applause.
A voice: Three cheers for David B. Hill,
the exponent of unterrified Democracy"
Given with will
The traditions of cur party, always full of
interest and instruction, represent the rich
legacy bequeathed to us by the sterling men
whose lives Of usefulness were devoted to the
public good, and whose memories will always
lie held by us in affectionate regard. What
tender recollections are awakened when we
recall the homes of some our departed states
men. Monticello" 1.-THE Hermitage"
''Deerfield" and ''Greystone" are dear to
every Democratic heart Cheers and ap-
plause.) The names and deeds of these dis
leaders, about whose hearthstones
are entwined the laurel and ivy of lasting
need no costly monument or